07/13/2016
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, with a grant funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, recently invested $71,000 to collaborate with the Wentworth-Douglass Foundation in response to the substance misuse crisis in our communities. Dr. Margaret Joy Garcia and Dr. Maria Rodriguez of Wentworth Health Partners Lee Family Practice have implmented the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Program, a proven strategy to reduce substance misuse and expand access to treatment and support for teens and young adults ages 12-22. The grant supports training for clinical staff, data gathering to contribute to larger research initiatives and support for the project, which is part of a state-wide initiative.
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is committed to being part of the solution. In addition to partnering with the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, other collaborations include working with our school systems, police and fire departments, and other like-minded organizations on strategies to address the crisis. Wentworth-Douglass Hospital has acquired Great Bay Mental Health to improve access to licensed drug and alcohol counseling services. Wentworth Health Partners has added mental health providers to all of its primary care practices with locations in Stafford, Rockingham and York Counties. For expectant mothers struggling with substance misuse, the hospital's social work team provides support before and during their stay, and the Women & Children's Center clinical staff have specialized training and resources to care for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) newborns. The generosity of donors and volunteers plays an important role in providing vital resources to support these efforts.